Good morning friends! I typically start my day with a big mug of coffee, but I’ve been known to dabble in non-caffeinated beverages from time to time. Today’s guest post on the best teas for promoting health includes two of my favorites: kombucha and peppermint. As the weather gets warm, a pitcher of unsweetened iced tea is a staple in my fridge. I hope you enjoy these suggestions and maybe learn something new about the health benefits of a beloved beverage! xo Alicia

Tea is a healthy alternative to sugary, caffeinated drinks. You can get your boost of caffeine without the refined or artificial sweeteners and the chemicals and additives. Or, if you’re trying to cut out caffeine, you can choose varieties that are naturally free of caffeine without having to buy chemically altered drinks.

Each tea you choose has unique properties for your health, providing you specific benefits. Here are a few of the best teas to drink for promoting health:

Green Tea

Green tea is well-known for its many health benefits. Loaded with antioxidants and catechins, green tea has been shown to increase metabolism, control blood-sugar levels, improve digestion and enhance cognitive function. It has even been shown to reverse some of the signs of aging by fighting inflammation and improving elasticity.

On top of all that, green tea has been shown to extend your life. One Japanese study showed that those who drank five or more cups of green tea per day had a significantly lower risk of death. In particular, the study found a lowered risk or heart attack and stroke, likely from its influence on lowering cholesterol.

Peppermint Tea

A warm cup of peppermint tea is one of the most fragrant, and you can enjoy it without adding sugar, milk or other condiments that will add sugar, fat or calories. Peppermint tea is well-known for its ability to improve digestion. The properties in the tea help to relax the muscles of the intestinal tract, which can relieve gastrointestinal spasms and abdominal pain. It’s especially helpful for those who suffer from irritable bowel syndrome and other digestive disorders.

Peppermint tea may also be able to relieve heartburn by improving overall digestive health.

Red Raspberry Leaf Tea

Red raspberry leaf tea is especially beneficial for women — and especially for pregnant women. Red raspberry leaf tea is a rich source of the alkaloid fragrine, which helps to tone the uterus and improve muscle function. This can lead to fewer menstrual cramps. For pregnant women, it is said to be able to make birth easier and to return the uterus to its previous state more quickly after delivery.

Red raspberry leaf is loaded with nutrients, including Vitamins E, C, A and B, magnesium, manganese, selenium, and calcium. It even has iron!

Kombucha

Kombucha is quickly becoming a popular tea amongst health enthusiasts, though it has been around for more than 2,000 years. The sweetened, fermented tea has been linked to a lower risk of cancer, arthritis and other health problems. The tea is high in healthy bacteria, glucaric acid (linked to cancer-fighting benefits), and hyaluronic acid (linked to joint health).

One of the most well-known health benefits of kombucha is improved digestion. The tea is high in healthy bacteria, which improve digestion, fight yeast overgrowth, and improve the immune system.

Except for kombucha, most of these teas are typically enjoyed warm. However, they can all be brewed and then chilled to create a refreshing and healthy drink for the coming warm, summer months. Simply brew and chill the tea just as you would when making sweet tea, and enjoy it with the sweetener of your choice (or none). Chilling the tea will not change the flavor.

What other teas do you drink for promoting your health? Share your favorites in the comments!

About the Author:

Bridget Sandorford is a freelance food and culinary writer, where recently she’s been researching cooking schools in New York. In her spare time, she enjoys biking, painting and working on her first cookbook.

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While we both love to eat well, life as AmeriCorps volunteers doesn’t afford us the budget to try every new restaurant and type of cuisine. With many post-graduate expenses and limited financial resources, what’s a foodie to do?
The answer is here, at The Humble Foodie. Instead of spending our hard-earned cash paying other people to cook for us, we’re spending as frugally as possible making delicious meals at home.

I legit drink all three of these regularly!! A and I have sort of (read: 100%) become herbal tea fanatics. He calls my Red Raspberry Leaf tea my “lady parts tea” since I use it when I’ve got bad cramps. Hilarious.

Another good one that I would recommend is Bigelow (I think that’s the brand) Chamomile Mint. It’s such a great combination and perfect for after dinner digestion and winding down!

Somehow I missed this post! I switched from coffee to tea-only (with the VERY occasional coffee treat) earlier this year, but I tend to stick to green and decaf black. My boyfriend drinks tea now, too, so it’s fun to have “tea time” together at night. I think I need to try red raspberry leaf tea now–and I’ve heard really good things about kombucha but I’m still a wee bit scared of it. Thanks for this rundown!

P.S. You’re in my thoughts. xx

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